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Is the viral Ice Bucket Challenge a good way to raise awareness?
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Read about why LMU’s Women’s soccer team is not one to miss this season.
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State reverses abortion exclusion Government informed LMU’s insurers that they must reinstate coverage of elective abortions. Zaneta Pereira Editor-in-Chief @zanyzaneta
Caroline Burt | Loyolan
Families of the new freshman class filled LMU’s campus as the new students moved into the dorms this past weekend to begin their LMU experience. While move-in day left many exhausted, the Class of 2018 can take strength from their motto: “what is easy is seldom excellent.”
Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration has reversed an earlier decision which allowed LMU and Santa Clara University to eliminate coverage of elective abortions in their employee insurance plans, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday. According to the article, Brown’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) stated that, “the exclusions violate a 1975 state law that requires group health plans to cover all basic services - defined, by the law, as those that are ‘medically necessary.’” They will be sending letters to insurers at both LMU and Santa Clara detailing the violation. In an email sent to faculty and staff last Friday, Vice President for Human Resources Rebecca Chandler said that the University is aware of the action being taken by the DMHC and is currently awaiting a response from See Abortion | Page 4
Film school ranks eighth nationwide The Hollywood Reporter ranked SFTV number eight on its Top 25 Best Film Schools. Amanda Lopez Asst. News Editor @laloyolan
This past August, LMU’s School of Film and Television (SFTV) was ranked eighth on The Hollywood Reporter’s fourth annual compilation of the 25 best film schools in America. This ranking puts LMU one spot ahead of last year, when SFTV broke into the top ten and earned the number nine spot on the list. Every year the competition grows for students who wish to attend LMU’s film school. Part of what makes the process so competitive is The Hollywood Reporter’s annual film school ranking, as it contributes to student interest in attending one of the best film schools in the country. Liz Tapang, a junior screenwriting and marketing double major, shared her thoughts regarding SFTV’s jump from the number nine to the number eight spot. “I am happy that the School of Film and Television is finally getting the credibility it deserves,” she said. This year’s Hollywood Reporter ranking emphasized characteristics unique to each program as well as providing the cost of tuition and notable alumni. The LMU portion of the list focused specifically on what makes the LMU School of Film and Television so successful. It made note of some of the special guests who have visited, some of whom were
featured as part of The Hollywood Masters discussion program introduced last year. These guests included some of the most recognizable names in the film industry such as Judd Apatow, Alfonso Cuaron and David O. Russell. The story also zeroed in on the achievements of SFTV students. Hayley Foster, who graduated in 2013 with an animation degree, won a Student Academy Award in 2014 for “Yamashita,” her thesis film that was produced at LMU. It also made note of other post-graduate successes of LMU students who have already started careers at major film studios. According to the article, “more than 2,300 ballots were submitted from the guilds, Film Independent, the American Cinematheque and the schools themselves” in the voting for the list this year. These ballots maintained SFTV’s position in the top ten and helped the program advance to a higher position on the list. Stephen Ujlaki, Dean of SFTV, is aware of the honor in being ranked in the top ten best film schools for two years in a row. “Several years ago, it seemed to me that very few people knew of our existence. The fact that we have now, in a few short years, become very visible and also achieved this level of prominence is very significant,” he said. Ujlaki also believes SFTV has continued to climb the ranks because, in the past few years, more time has been devoted to making all LMU programs more visible and ensuring that the film program gets the recognition it deserves. “A good part of my effort has been to make us more visible through events, public See SFTV | Page 3
Students dive into school at First Convo
Caroline Burt | Loyolan
The LMU community gathered in Alumni Mall to enjoy food, friends, a dunk tank and various other activities at First Convo put on by ASLMU on Tuesday afternoon. For more photos from First Convo, turn to Page 2.
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Caroline Burt | Loyolan
ASLMU’s First Convo brought the LMU community together for an hour of fun This past Tuesday, the LMU community gathered in Alumni Mall to kick off the start of the new school year at First Convo. Students reunited with friends and enjoyed a photo booth, dunk tank and bounce house entertainment. Iggy the lion made an appearance while students enjoyed each other’s company for the start of the fall semester. Be sure to check out Club Fest at today’s Convo Hour to learn more about joining on-campus organizations and follow @laloyolan on instagram for more photos of campus.
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SFTV rises in rankings SFTV from Page 1
relations, and spreading the word about our faculty and our programs. Yes, we have improved some of the programs and invited more Hollywood personalities on campus, but we are now getting the recognition we should have gotten years ago,” he said. While SFTV is proud of this year’s ranking, they hope to continue to rise in the ranks in the future. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in SFTV Abigail Kaun and Ujlaki shared how SFTV plans to accomplish this. “This year, we’ve introduced an intensive new bootcamp course designed to help students identify their passion within the filmmaking craft in order to begin their professional trajectory right from the time they are freshmen. We also plan to enhance our facilities with a new building adjacent to Communication Arts,” said Kaun. “I think that our challenge is meeting the higher expectations that students have who come
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BURNING QUESTIONS
This issue, Assistant News Editor Carly Barnhill sits down with sophomore communications major Luana Jury-Fogel who attended the World Cup in Brazil this past summer.
Talia Baugnon | Loyolan
The Hollywood Reporter named LMU’s School of Film and Television number eight in the nation, and SFTV has said it will strive to continue improving. here. The bar is higher now, the ucation. That is much more imstudents are even more demand- portant to me than the ranking, ing and we have to continue to which is, after all, an artificial deliver the best possible film ed- measurement,” said Ujlaki.
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When did you decide to go to the World Cup?
My family has always been really into soccer, especially my Mom. She went to the World Cup that was here in the USA back in 1994, and she wanted to give that experience to my sister and I. She is from Brazil originally and every other summer since my sister and I have been born, we have traveled there to visit family. So, when we found out the World Cup was going to be in Brazil during the time that we were going to be there, it wasn’t really a question of whether we should go to any games or not.
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What games did you attend?
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On Campus Come visit the LMU Ice Hockey team at Club Fest on August 28th. Learn about playing on or cheering for on the fastest, hardest hitting sport on campus.
We went to the Portugal vs. Ghana game, and also a quarter final game which ended up being Argentina vs. Belgium. Had USA beaten Belgium we could have seen Argentina vs. USA and that would have been awesome, but that didn’t happen and regardless it’s the World Cup, so I just felt lucky to be there at all. Both games I went to were in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.
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What was your most memorable moment in Brazil this summer?
Probably just walking into the gates of the stadium in Brasilia for the first time. I kinda just had to stand there for a minute and stare at it because it was so cool. And then actually walking into the stadium and hearing loud music and cheering and seeing so many people from across the world just having the best time was something I’ll never forget. Everyone is so passionate about this sport, especially outside of USA, so it’s really fun to see all these different countries bond over it.
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Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham? Messi.
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How would you describe the atmosphere of a World Cup match?
So crazy. There was constantly so much energy and yelling and jumping and dancing around, and it made me super happy and proud to be there. The difference between a regular professional soccer game and a World Cup game is the type of people that are there and the connections you can make with people from all over the world and that’s something you don’t forget.
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If you could describe your World Cup experience in one word, what would it be and why?
I would just say integration. I took pictures with people from like three different continents and met Americans wearing Brazilian jerseys and absolutely everything was mixed and it was all because of soccer. It became about so much more than who can score the most goals and win the most games. It was by far one of the best experiences of my life.
MORE QUESTIONS
Read the rest of Luana Jury-Fogel’s interview at laloyolan.com.
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Users show support for Uber and Lyft petition
A proposed California bill is threatens business for ridesharing companies. Carly Barnhill
Asst. News Editor @carlyabarn
The convenience and low cost of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft could soon change following the proposed AB 2293 bill, which could put California ridesharing services in danger. Transportation companies Uber and Lyft have arguably become a way of life for “ridesharers” all over the world, including LMU students. Whether students are look-
ing to enjoy a night out on the town or just get a cheap ride to the airport, these transportation services are popular in the Westchester area. According to the Uber website for California, the California State Legislature is contemplating a bill that may negatively affect ridesharing in the state. The bill defines new guidelines that will be detrimental to mobile ridesharing companies by “requiring insurance that is over 20 times that of Taxi,” according to the website. This means Uber and Lyft services could be forced to adhere to stricter protocol and regulations dealing with insurance in
How might the proposed bill
affect LMU students?
California. These changes will leave LMU students with the challenge of finding cheaper methods of transportation around Los Angeles. The website explains that AB 2293, the bill that Assemblymember Susan Bonilla introduced, “is written by trial lawyers and big insurance special interests working to stifle competition and protect the status quo.” Bonilla has expressed her reasons for the bill, including her thoughts that drivers of Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing companies should not have the responsibility of potential car accidents which could lead to lawsuits. According to the Silicon Business Journal, Bonilla
wrote an email explaining that the bill’s focus is “consumer protection.” The Uber website insists that rideshare users should be in opposition to the bill, as it will only be of monetary benefit to the taxi companies, insurance companies and trial lawyers. The “California Needs Uber” website includes the hashtag #CAneedsUber as well as a petition for online users to sign if they desire. Eddie Estrada, senior communication studies major and brand representative for Uber on campus, received an email from Team Uber California encouraging Uber users to take action in order to save
the company. Estrada believes the petition to save Uber and ridesharing companies is very important, especially for LMU students and community members who do not want to go back to using taxi services. “Students would be spending more money, people would be upset and I think transportation as a whole would be changed,” Estrada said. “I think taxis are a thing from the past — the high prices and the standard fares are something old and I think this new community ridesharing experience is the next step. I think Congress and the world need to understand that this is where we are headed and we should just accept it.”
“It would affect an out of state student like me who doesn’t have a car because it would cost a lot more to take a cab and it’s way less Halsey Smythe, sophomore convenient since Lyft and Uber have the app.” screenwriting major
“I think it would affect people at LMU who take Ubers to bars and off-campus places and want to get around safely.” Marissa Deems, junior communication studies major
“They arrive a lot faster, typically are more polite and it is overall just a better experience.” Camille Kodama, sophomore business major Sydney Franz | Loyolan
Community responds to state’s abortion decision Abortion from Page 1
LMU’s insurance providers – Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente. The email from Chandler also informed faculty and staff that “Once we learn from our insurers what this reported new decision means in terms of making sure that the University’s current policies comply with the law, we’ll let you know.” As of Aug. 27, Chandler confirmed that the University was still waiting to hear back from the insurance providers. According to University President David W. Burcham, LMU expects its insurers “will comply fully with the law and offer us policies that are in full compliance.” The decision by the DMHC has drawn criticism from some external Catholic groups. David Luke (’93), co-founder of the alumni group Renew LMU, told the Catholic News Agency on Aug. 26 that “California Catholics are no longer safe to practice their faith within their own institutions. Gov. Brown’s decision demonstrates that, in California, tolerance does not extend to people of faith and moral conscience.” Additionally, the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal religious liberty advocacy group, and the Life Legal Defense Foun-
dation have written and submitted a letter of objection. The letter argues that the action is a “clear violation” of the federal Weldon Amendment, which declares that states which accept federal funds may not discriminate against institutions and health care entities that do not provide coverage of abortion. Conversely, associate sociology professor Anna Muraco praised the action of the DMHC. “I feel as if this is the right move, this is the right way to allow women to make decisions about their own reproductive care,” she said. The initial exclusion of elective aborition coverage, Muraco explained, concerned her as it “signaled to women that they weren’t trusted enough to make decisions about their own reproductive life. And I thought that set a dangerous precedent, not just [for] staff but women who are students here,” Similarly, Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times called the decision “a women’s rights victory,” explaining in an Aug. 25 article that “the move by the Department of Managed Health Care is one of the strongest statements in favor of women’s reproductive health rights you’re likely to hear from officials of any state, at a time when those rights are under system-
atic attack.” As with the debate that sprung up last year following LMU’s decision to cut elective abortion coverage from its faculty and staff healthcare plans after a Board of Trustees vote on Oct. 7, 2013, this news has once again resulted in very split opinions. “This is a complicated topic so one way to address it would be to try and facilitate conversation where people are being
The healthcare issue raised it in a way that is dramatic, but that tension is something we need to embrace. treated respectfully and there is an understanding that this being less about ideology … and more about the ability for women and their families to make concerted choices about how they want their professional and personal lives to go,” Muraco said. For philosophy professor James Hanink, the divisive nature of the issue is not something to avoid but rather to embrace. “If there are issues of significance that aren’t divisive I’ve never heard of them, so let’s be divisive and let’s do the division in the right sort of way,” he said.
Burcham, who announced last year at the President’s Convocation that the University, would focus on engaging in campuswide conversations on Catholic identity as a result of the controversy over the decision to exclude abortion from the insurance, believes continuing dialogue is key. Burcham noted that LMU is “not a parish, we’re not a seminary, we’re not a convent – we’re a university that many years ago decided that we would be diverse in every way.” Burcham acknowledged that there is a tension between this part of LMU’s identity and our tradition as a Catholic, Jesuit Marymount university. “The healthcare issue raised it in a way that is dramatic, but that tension is something we need to embrace. We need to allow creative dialogue to occur,” he said. Hanink is skeptical about the effectiveness of on-campus efforts towards dialogue explaining that, “I don’t think that can happen in any organized way on campus because I don’t think the leadership is intellectually prepared and I don’t think it has the moral resolve,” he said. In response, Burcham pointed out that “For 25 years, until last year, this University has covered all abortion. Last year, our
insurance providers told us for the first time, with the approval of the DHMC, that they could separate out abortion. To suggest that the administration and the Board of Trustees, who did separate it out, lacked moral resolve, I just simply disagree with [that].” Burcham noted that LMU’s decision to also allow those employees who wished to purchase abortion coverage at an additional cost through a private administrator was a “creative” solution that upset a lot of people, but was nevertheless an effort to “hold fast to this very deeply embedded moral principle that abortion is evil and at the same time recognize that we have a lot of faculty and staff here who perhaps are not Catholic and who don’t have such strong beliefs on that subject.” Although this is an issue that may divide the campus, Burcham highlighted the fact that, “One of the real contributions a Catholic university can make is tearing down walls that divide. Some of those walls are religious based, others are based on other types of polarizing influences. But I think one of the things we can do, as a Catholic university, is first making sure that, as the great hymn says, ‘all are welcome.’ All feel welcome, no matter their background.”
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Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.
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The importance of seeing the gray in the seemingly black and white LION
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or every student, the start of a new year of another unarmed black youth. But when means the opportunity to start fresh. we create a world of dichotomous sides that Be it the freshman looking to shrug off are crudely painted black or white, we lose his or her high school persona or the “super the gray, which is where real learning and senior,” whose fingers and toes are crossed solutions come from. that this is their last semester, it is an annual As a student-led news outlet, we are not opportunity for change, and we hope that you going to solve the crises of the world. Even if positively embrace it. the campus banded together for a rendition Last year the Loyolan capitalized on this of “Kumbaya” we would still fall short of opportunity, by redesigning our print paper finding all the solutions. However, what and introducing a re-vamped website, with the Loyolan hopes to act as is a space for new online content posted open discussions, especially throughout the week. on sensitive topics that During this phase This year, we will continue dramatically affect the way of new beginnings, to transform our digital we live and communicate with presence to ensure that you others. We are not here to shut we hope to take the have “your home, your voice, out opinions or purposefully best from our past your news” readily available not cover issues. One of the and expand on that to great aspects of LMU is the at your fingertips. But a become better. cosmetic facelift and new freedom of the press extended shiny gadgets do not a news to us, which allows us to place source make. two different opinions side by Over the summer, the world transformed side to get a beautiful area of gray from where into a much more troubled place.From Iraq to you, as a reader, can carry on the discussion. Gaza to Ferguson, violence and oft-justified During this phase of new beginnings, we anger took over the media’s coverage. The hope to take the best from our past and space left for civil discourse, a space that has expand on that to become better. While we been shrinking, was completely annihilated successfully maintained discussion on the by headlines and Twitter feeds seeking to campus last year, this year is yet another instigate viral debates. The thoughtful challenge because there are such strong language that is so needed in times like these opinions about the topics that must be was glossed over in favor of sensational press. covered. As we try to bring you the most Not only did the news fail us, but we also accurate and responsible news we can, we failed each other. ask that everyone do their part to bring civil When open dialogue leaves the public space, conversation back into play. It is easy to forget chaos ensues as we lose the ability to relate to someone’s humanity when yelling at him or one another. You are either pro-Israel or pro- her. It is much easier to remember when we Palestine; on the side of the police or the side take the time to openly talk and listen.
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Ice Buckets challenge us to be charitable Cruz Control
Cruz Quinonez
Asst. Opinion Editor @LoyolanOpinion
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ith the riots in Ferguson, Missouri; the violence in Gaza and the advances of ISIS through Syria and Iraq, world news has made it seem like conflict is erupting everywhere. The 24-hour news cycle constantly reminds us of the divisions in our world, which is why I was pleasantly surprised to hear about the viral sensation that is the Ice Bucket Challenge. The Ice Bucket Challenge works like this: someone who’s taking the challenge can either donate money to the ALS Association – the only non-profit organization, according to its website, working to find and fund new methods of treatment and hopefully a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – or they can dump a bucket of ice water on their heads and post the video online. Whichever option someone chooses, they are then supposed to challenge other people to do the same in order to further raise awareness about ALS. I was glad to do the challenge, not just because I want to help the ALSA, but also because I like the idea of people setting aside their differences to work together for a common goal. Thanks to the massive increase in awareness, the ALSA has raised $62.5 million since the challenge began.
Though the challenge has grown in popularity, not everyone is happy about it. After Pamela Anderson posted a photo to Facebook saying that the ALSA was torturing rats and monkeys, many people expressed concern about funding the organization. However, a statement from Chief Scientist for the ALSA Lucie Bruijn vehemently denied such allegations and stated they “strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by the National Institutes of Health.” The Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati also discouraged donations to the ALSA because they participate in a study using embryonic stem cells, which violates Catholic beliefs on the sanctity of life. Though this is true, you can still donate to the ALSA anyway by earmarking your donation to specific portions of their research if you are opposed to stem cell research. Other people take issue with the perceived uselessness of merely posting a video and not donating. They believe that there is an inherent selfishness in using the challenge as a chance to show off to the world how much of a do-gooder they are. These are some understandable objections, but I’d have to disagree that posting videos is useless. Before I saw those videos on Facebook I had barely any idea what ALS was. I vaguely knew about Lou Gherig’s disease, let alone that it was the same as ALS. Whether people are doing it out of a need for attention or out of a desire to help, it doesn’t matter as long as they actually do it. If one person who didn’t know about the disease
and those it affects is educated from my ridiculous video, I think that it’s worth someone else maybe thinking I’m a glory-seeking narcissist. One last point that I know hits home for Californians is the seemingly huge waste of water that the Ice Bucket Challenge represents. With the entire state experiencing one of the most extreme droughts in ages, we are learning to appreciate water as a far more precious commodity. I know a lot of my friends view the Ice Bucket Challenge as a frivolous waste mostly for this reason. If you, for some reason, really want to dump water on your head instead of donating, I’m willing to help you out. The average sized water bucket holds four gallons. The average 10 minute shower uses 50 gallons of water. If anyone is torn on wasting water, I’ll take one for the team by not showering for the rest of my life and hopefully my lack of showering will offset your bucket. I went ahead and dumped water on my head (I’m never showering again so it’s okay, remember?) and also donated $10 to the ALSA. As great as the challenge has been, I hope it doesn’t stop here and people continue to donate not just to the ALSA, but to other charities and worthy organizations. Because sometimes we need a splash of cold water to wake us up to helping others, but that doesn’t mean we can go back to sleep. This is the opinion of Cruz Quinonez, a senior English and Screenwriting doublemajor from Bakersfield, California. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email dfeldman@theloyolan.com.
Information from: The Washington Post, NCCES, ALS Association; Mo Haley | Loyolan
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Don’t waste. Don’t spend. Don’t care. D = mc2 Devin Feldman Opinion Editor @d_fman
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Information from: The Washington Post, NCCES, ALS Association; Mo Haley | Loyolan
et me first say that this campaign has done more good than bad. Donations to the ALS Association are roughly 10 to 15 times what they were this time last year, and awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has skyrocketed. But why? A few weeks ago, the Ice Bucket Challenge – a social mediabased dare campaign consisting of people dumping buckets of water on their heads and calling out three people to do the same or donate $100 to ALS within 24 hours – was going viral. I was nominated by a friend of mine and never accepted. One week later, I was nominated by my cousin and, again, neglected to pour a tub of ice-water over my head. Instead, I used ice to cool a glass of bourbon, which helped me cope with the backlash from my friends for backing out. My excuse? I didn’t want to waste water, didn’t believe in this kind of public charity and – admittedly – didn’t really feel like it. Yes, awareness is fine, donations are great, but the narcissistic nature of this campaign pokes and prods people to take part in the challenge for all the
wrong reasons. Many of those participating are engaging more in “slacktivism” than engaging any real change. Not just that, we are in the middle of California’s worst drought in decades, people! And while the water wasted by the Ice Bucket Challenge is minimal compared to agricultural usage, every little bit counts. I haven’t washed my car in months, hop in the shower before the water heats up and my backyard ain’t doing so well. Even my vintage Fisher Price Crazy Daisy has been stowed away indefinitely while California waits for rain. We’re talking about millions of gallons of water wasted for the Ice Bucket Challenge. And, if we’re gonna get financial about it, a water wasting fine can equal up to $500 in L.A. $500 better spent towards a cause of your choice. But, most importantly, we need to remember what this is for. The Ice Bucket Challenge isn’t for you; it’s not for low-key showing off that summer bod – it’s to support ALS research. A noble cause, yes, but not a narcissistic one. Charity and service are not meant to be a selfserving display; they’re meant to be a selfless act, one done because it’s right and not so you can boast about it on social media. As I mentioned earlier, I was nominated a couple times and
never publicly responded. Did I donate? Does it matter? If I put money anywhere following my nominations, it was somewhere I felt it was needed. Maybe that place was the ALS Association, maybe it was the American Heart Association, maybe it was the American Cancer Society, maybe it was for eight rounds at Cincos or this week’s groceries – it doesn’t really matter. And that’s something we all need to consider before aimlessly sending money because we were challenged to. Considering all this, here is what I propose we do. First, it’s pretty obvious I’m in favor of supporting whatever you think is right. Also, I’m all for water conservation right now and believe charity should be done because one wants to, not because of external pressures. Therefore, I nominate everyone reading this article to use the ice and water they would have otherwise spent on the Ice Bucket Challenge to bathe in (builds character), use the money that would’ve been put toward L.A.’s wasted water fine for a cause you believe in and quit boasting about it on social media – or not; do what you want. This is the opinion of Devin Feldman, a senior communication studies major from Aurora, Oregon. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email dfeldman@theloyolan.com.
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LMU alumnus on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Poison Ivy Ivetta Babadjanian Life+Arts Editor @LoyolanArts
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MU alumnus David Blatter has been receiving an enormous amount of attention lately for his magical gift showcased on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” alongside magician Leeman Parker. Blatter discovered his knack for performing when he received his first magic set at 6 years old. He was instantly hooked. Over time, his passion grew and he sought training in magic to learn more about the art of illusion. Blatter is among several family members who attended LMU; he graduated in 2008 with a double major in philosophy and theology. “I was hesitant at first to show my magic at LMU until one day a group of fellow students urged me to perform my magic for $20 for a girl’s birthday,” said Blatter. Since then, Blatter has come back to showcase his talents on campus performing last year in a Mane Entertainment event. He further polished his skill during his travels through LMU’s study abroad program in Bonn, Germany and later while living in London and New York, where he worked at Marvin’s Magic. He later moved back to L.A. and began performing street magic in Santa Monica, where he met fellow magician Parker
and formed a duo with him. Through a series of trial and error, Blatter and Parker have been able to learn what translate well on-stage and adjust certain tricks that did not work well at first. “We develop a concept of what would be a cool trick and perform it for smaller audiences without practicing,” said Blatter. “We’re bad at first, but by failing over and over again we get to see what the audience likes.” The duo performed in a series of successful shows in L.A., which eventually led to them being semi-finalists on “America’s Got Talent.” In their audition for the show, the two magicians showcased their charisma and knack for showmanship by using what they termed as “pressure phrenology” to make judge Howie Mandel unable to read words written on a card that were clearly distinguishable to the audience. “I don’t know how you did it, but I loved it. I want to see more,” said judge Heidi Klum after the duo’s act. As a high school philosophy teacher, Blatter loves to teach and test out his magic on students. He and Leeman have recently begun an additional project as writers for an upcoming television show, “What Went Down.” His main goal, however, is to further his career as a performer and magician. “I love performing,” Blatter said. “The most gratifying part is hearing the crowd’s laughter. Anyone can clap, but creating laughter means the audience is connecting with our act.”
via David Blatter
LMU alumnus David Blatter (left) has mastered the art of magic through practice and dedication. Together with magician Leeman Parker, he put his skills to the test “America’s Got Talent.”
Fall into the latest fashion trends Start digging in your closet to find out how you can vamp up your wardrobe. Heather Marie Domingo Staff Writer
@LoyolanArts
Ladies “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” As Miranda Priestly from “The Devil Wears Prada” pointed out, florals might not be groundbreaking, but they’re definitely in. Floral print is commonly found on another popular trend– flowy clothing. Flowy dresses, pants, shirts, skirts and even shorts are in this fall. So many girls are wearing flowy printed pants from Brandy Melville and Forever 21 and I can’t blame them; they’re comfortable and cute. They come in so many colors and prints and can be found in almost any apparel store. What makes them even more attractive is that they are cozy, especially when you have to walk across campus from Pereira Hall to U-Hall. Other recent trends Boyfriend jeans: These have long been popular because your legs can actually breathe in them. Skinny jeans can sometimes be too fitted and constricting when you’re walking all day from class to class. Kimonos: These are essential for our versatile L.A. weather, both the warm sunshine and the warm Bluff. Plus, they’re easy to take off when it warms up in the afternoon. So if you want to switch off from wearing the same cardigan or sweater every week, try looking around for some kimonos. Accessories for ladies When looking at the latest accessories and trends, you should probably think about what was in style almost a couple decades ago. I guess history really does repeat itself. The late ‘80s and early
‘90s fashion is back with: Platform sandals: These are perfect, especially with U-Hall escalators. If you don’t want to wear only flats or sandals, platforms are a cute way to amp up your outfit this fall. Birkenstocks: Not everyone thinks they are the cutest shoes, but according to Bloomberg Businessweek, they were the most ordered brand on Zappos.com in the past several months. It’s probably because they give off a carefree vibe, are eco-friendly, last forever and are the roomiest, most comfortable sandals imaginable. Chokers: It’s a dream come true for my 8-year-old self. Chokers are not just for the “gothic” look; they’re extremely versatile and can be paired with either dresses or graphic T-shirts. Gentlemen Girls like a nice gentleman, but they love one who also puts effort into his wardrobe. Dress sharply to create a positive first impression, but always invest in pieces that fit your personal style. Try these popular trends to revamp your closet if you think you’ve outgrown your graphic tees and chubbies. Chukka boots: These are lace-up ankle boots, usually made from suede leather. Chukka boots can make a plain white tee with jeans look classier, and who doesn’t want that? Button down long sleeves: They’re great investments because they can be worn to class, an important interview or a meeting. Buy some with prints that fit your personality and make your outfit unique. And remember, they should be snug at the chest but shouldn’t restrict your movement. Basic fitted shirts: To make your closet more versatile, throw in some plain fitted shirts. Wear them under plaid long sleeves, cardigans or even cuff the sleeves to change it up.
This is the opinion of Heather Marie Domingo, a sophomore political science major from Bakersfield, California. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or follow us on Facebook.
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Use trends like platform sandals, kimonos or boyfriend jeans to push the envelope of your current style. There’s no better time to experiment with different looks than the start of the school year.
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Staying creative over the summer Cam TagMe Cameron Tagge
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @Loyolan Arts
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MU’s back in action,with the endof-summer heat wave ringing in the 2014-2015 school year. But memories of summer shenanigans and adventures are still on student’s minds as they hustle to class, peruse syllabi and catch up with old friends. Some students studied abroad while others stayed local and spent quality time with friends and family. But whether summer was spent racking up school credits or relaxing, LMU students, faculty and staff filled their vacation time with personal and community growth.
“I worked on visual effects for four feature films and supervised VFX for the Coachella 2015 promo video.”
“I studied abroad in Germany and worked at a camp for kids with muscular dystrophy.”
-John Bashyam, senior animation major
-Lauren Lee, senior health and human science major
“I worked at Northrop Grumman, an aerospace corporation. They make big planes.” -John DeMarinis, senior mechanical engineering major
“I worked a summer camp at Walnut Creek and drove all over Northern California with my friend who captured scenic locations with beautiful digital photography.”
“I visited family in New Orleans for a bit until I came back to LA to spend time on my acting with classes in North Hollywood. I also read on the beach. Good times.” -Ty Molbak, junior theatre arts and film production major
-Ian Salazar, sophomore screenwriting major
Why summer 2014 won’t be forgotten Poison Ivy Ivetta Babadjanian Life+Arts Editor
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@LoyolanArts
djusting to a new season and the start of a new semester can be tough, but we can still reminisce about all the memories from summer. Here are some iconic moments that will forever characterize the summer of 2014. 2014 FIFA World Cup Facebook newsfeeds were cluttered with reactions to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, which began on June 12 and ended on July 13. It was exciting to cheer for the team USA victory and, after their loss, watch Brazil’s agonizing defeat while Germany achieved a glorious win.
Regardless of whether you were a true soccer fan or merely got sucked in by the hype of the World Cup, it was fun to come together with family and friends to watch the games.
5 Seconds of Summer No, I’m not talking about how quickly the summer came and went. I’m talking about the new hit boy band that is making girls squeal all over the world. 5 Seconds of Summer is an Australian pop-rock band with catchy tunes like “She Looks So Perfect” and “Good Girls.” They released their self-titled album on July 11 in the U.S., which has grown their fan base as their music was constantly heard on the radio throughout the summer. “The Fault in Our Stars” “The Fault in Our Stars” was a summer movie that never lost its buzz. The novel
by John Green turned feature film directed by Josh Boone was a success because of its ability to find laughter in tragedy. The film tells the story of 16-year-old Hazel (Shailene Woodley) who is suffering from thyroid cancer, which has spread to her lungs. She meets Augustus (Ansel Elgort), a boy who suffers from osteosarcoma which led him to lose his leg, in a cancer patient support group. As they fall in love, they learn about what it means to live. Woodley and Elgort gave phenomenal performances and had great chemistry on screen. Season two of “Orange is the New Black” Netflix has become a common addiction that is too difficult to pass up. The Netflix original series “Orange is the New Black” released its entire second season on June 6 at 3 a.m. Those who were already fans of the first season were ready to watch the
series the very next day. As hype for the series continued to grow, many new fans emerged and were able to watch the entire two seasons in an unhealthy yet completely satisfying Netflix marathon. Robin Williams The much beloved actor and comedian, Robin Williams’ unexpected death in August hit many hard. As more details were released following his passing, many celebrities described the actor as a genuinely kind and funny man. Many of us grew up watching his comedic genius in movies like “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Good Will Hunting” and couldn’t help but watch reruns of his work in tribute to his talent.
This is the opinion of Ivetta Babadjanian, a senior communication studies from Glendale, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts or like us on Facebook.
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The death of actor and comedian Robin Williams sparked the debate for mental illness across media. He was allegedly diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease prior to his suicide.
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Take a break from the Labor and enjoy the Day Poison Ivy Ivetta Babadjanian Life+Arts Editor @LoyolanArts
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on’t let yourself fall into a “summertime sadness.” Instead, allow yourself to look forward to the upcoming fall season and the possibilities that it could bring. Whether you’re new to L.A. or a local, there are still new things for you to discover. Street Food Cinema A variety of food trucks, movies and music come together to create the perfect Saturday night out. Bring a blanket and have a picnic at one of Street Food Cinema’s many events. Every Saturday until September 27 a different movie will be screened, ranging from classics like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” to cult favorites like “Pineapple Express.” First up is “Edward Scissorhands” at Westchester Park on Aug. 30, followed by a performance by local band Reasons Be. The locations of the event vary each week and can be found online. Made in America Festival Budweiser’s annual music festival, founded by Jay-Z, fuses music and culture. This year, the festival will be held in Downtown L.A.’s Grand Park on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. Tickets start at $185 for a single day pass, but major artists are scheduled to perform, including Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, John Mayer, Imagine Dragons, Capital Cities and Iggy Azalea. Downtown Flea Located in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, Downtown Flea was launched by Phillip Dane Productions and features over 200 vendors selling items such as furniture, jewelry, clothing and art. In addition, each vendor has its own “Fleabook,” which lists a preview of the items that will be available at the event. Downtown Flea occurs every fourth Sunday of the month and also features food trucks, music from local bands and a variety of activities such as a rock climbing wall. Admission is $3, but you can score tickets online for $2. Friday Night Wine Tastings Those over 21 can enjoy Barnsdall
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Enjoy the tradtional festival experience at Made In America, coming to L.A. for the first time since it began in Philadelphia and featuring Kendrick Lamar, Weezer and Kanye West at Grand Park this weekend. Not your scene? Take in the expansive Downtown Flea, complete with vendors and music. Park’s wine tasting on top of Olive Hill in the Hollyhock House. Silverlake Wine provides a wide variety of wines and you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the city. It’s another great event for picnic lovers; guests are invited to bring along blankets and their own food. Food trucks are also an option. The event will continue every Friday until Sept. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Vilebrequin Beach Volleyball Games There’s nothing more enjoyable on a summer day than Miramar Beach and Pool Club’s weekly beach volleyball games. The event is presented by the French swimwear company Vilebrequin. Every Saturday, attendees are welcome to enjoy post-game snacks and artisanal beer from the Fairmont Miramar Hotel’s restaurant, FIG. Enjoy a little
friendly competition and you may find yourself winning exclusive prizes from Vilebrequin.
This is the opinion of Ivetta Babadjanian, a senior communication studies major from Glendale, California. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts and like us on Facebook.
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Lady Lions push for the top of WCC Sully Speaks from Page 16
The team’s new attitude, in combination with their talented recruits is creating a formidable chemistry. Right off the bat, new junior transfer Callie Taylor was named WCC player of the week. Taylor claims the successful start has a lot to do with the close-knit nature of the team. “The communication our team has is really good. It’s really easy for me to come in and work with the other people on the team,” Taylor said. “I feel like I’m at home and have been playing with these people for a while.” The veteran players share a similar appreciation for what the newcomers have been able to contribute to the team. “I think we’re going to do really well,” Blankenship said. “The freshmen are all coming in, the transfers are making a huge impact on the team.” The Lady Lions are currently in preparation for this weekend’s away tournament, getting ready to battle big Pac-12 schools up in Oregon. With that in mind, Meyers wants to keep the focus on fundamentals, primarily defense. “We’ve been working on being able to possess and getting good chances up front,” said Meyers. “This year we have a lot more depth up front so I think we will get more chances. We want to try and keep them out of our net because we know we can score a goal.” Blankenship also believes that offense will be a strong suit for this roster, and they will be
focusing more closely on other aspects of their play. “We got to do a lot of attacking. We talked about things we could work on and got to test some things out so now it’s just time to fine tune them.” Taylor plans to keep it simple and play her part on the field. “I think that if I do my job along with everyone else doing their job, we should get two away wins,” she said. The team plays Oregon State on Aug. 29, and University of Oregon on Aug. 31. The next couple weekends the team plays on away turf, but on Sept. 14 they return home at last to play Cal State Fullerton. After a long road trip, the Lions will definitely need a lively crowd to energize them. “I’ve noticed a lot more people here than the last two years,” Blankenship said. “It brings some energy into us even if we’re down or up two goals; it just gives us the energy to keep going.” The women’s soccer team is yearning for that top spot in conference and by the looks of it, that goal is not far fetched. “The conference is always tough, but I do think the top teams graduated some players out,” Meyers said. “If it gets down to it, it could be a dog fight. The conference will be a close one this year, and these ladies will be fighting with all they’ve got. With the new players, new chemistry and large support of fans, they should make it to the top in no time.
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Junior midfielder Jocelyn Blankenship looks upfield for an open offensive teammate to pass to. Blankenship was named to the 2014 All West-Coast Conference Pre-season Women’s Team, by vote of the 10 WCC coaches.
LION SPORTS
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Sullivan Field seeking full stands Sully Speaks from Page 16
watch them? It is no secret that soccer is not America’s favorite sport. Though massively popular worldwide, it has not gotten its fair shot in the U.S. But that could be changing soon. “It’s getting better,” Krumpe said. “They are showing up in numbers.” “This is the most fans since I have been here,” Nitti added. The fans may have started to come, but there may not be enough of them. The men’s soccer team is one of our top programs here at LMU. At other schools around the country, it does not matter how the team is doing – fans just show up. It does not matter what struggles the University of Southern California football team has gone through, the fans will fill that stadium. It should not take a great season to fill the stands, but the team knows that’s just how it is. “We know that the more we win, the more people we draw to the games,” Krumpe said. “If we continue to show that we are competing with the best teams in the country, they will come.” The Lions are in the perfect position for garnering fan support this season. They won the WCC last season, they are projected to win again and World Cup fever swept the country this last summer as the general public fell in love with those Team USA in Brazil. Almost 25 million Americans watched the United States take on Portugal, which was more viewers than the NBA finals or the World Series received. Clearly people loved showing their patriotism while the U.S. was in Brazil. However,
Americans did something that they have not really done in the past. They continued to watch after the Yanks were eliminated. The final game of the World Cup had a larger American audience than any individual American game of the tournament. With 26.5 million viewers from the United States, maybe soccer has finally found a home here. This may be the one chance the student body has to show that they can be extremely supportive for a team that isn’t basketball. The men’s soccer team is expected to have a great season and they need all the help they can get. “We have had people showing up to the games about 15 to 20 minutes after it has started,” Krumpe explained. “If we could get them to show up 15-20 minutes before kickoff and be raucous during the player introductions, that would be great. I think we can get a thousand people into the stands.” This school is plagued by the reputation that none of its students care about the Athletics Department. The common excuse is that the sports teams are not all that good. This excuse, however, is no longer valid. As a student body, we need to make sure we support one another, and that includes on the field. So make sure to make your way down to Sullivan Field and show your Lion pride. They need you to roar louder than you ever have before.
This is the opinion Jack Sullivan, a junior communication studies major from Las Vegas, Nevada. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email jsullivan@theloyolan.com.
Loyolan Archives
Redshirt Senior center back Craig Nitti is amongst one of LMU’s last lines of defense. Nitti was named the 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, making him the third man in LMU history to receive this award. He was also one of five Lions to be named to the Pre-season All-WCC team and pairs up in back with senior Ryan Felix.
Running pack Cross-Country from Page 16
have some freshman who have not run an 8,000 meter race in cross country and it is going to help us figure out how the team is going to shake out. It’s all about how we collaborate with each other and run together.” This race is definitely going to help the team see where they all stand. “Every race definitely matters, but this is the season opener so it is just a way to see where everybody’s fitness is,” Assistant Coach Ali Stemm said. “It’s really rare that we have every racer in a race, so this will be a great test for everybody.” Though this is a great warm up race, the team knows it is not just a leisurely stroll they are taking. “Our goal first and foremost is to win,” senior Grace GrahamZamudio said. “After that is just to go out and run a good race to set us up for WCC Prelims next week.” Though the team is focused on its running and fitness, there is a lot more that goes into cross-country than speed and endurance. “Cross-country is a much more team-oriented sport,” Stemm said. “We are going to emphasize the team aspect. Running as a pack and staying together. Sometimes you might not run as fast as you would individually because you are working as a pack to accomplish something together.” “There are a lot more variables involved in racing,” GrahamZamudio added. “There is weather, location and who you are
going against. There are a lot of things to take into account.” The runners also have to worry about their mindset. “Mental focus is a pillar that endurance is built on,” Gibson said. “The two are totally coupled together.” “If your mind is engaged, you can force your body to go to the limit and even further,” GrahamZamudio added. The Lions will surely be pushing themselves this weekend. Starting off the year strong can help the team throughout the rest of the season. But they also want to be careful not to completely drain themselves. “A lot of times I will say ‘Just go have fun,’” Coach Stemm said. “A lot of kids have their own prerace rituals so we just like to stand back and let them do their own thing.” There are a lot of different techniques runners use to get into the zone. “I have coffee and toast for breakfast and I always wear my lucky socks for races so I need to remember to pack those,” Graham-Zamudio said. “I try to take care of the little things, get my sleep and something good to eat the night before. Day of, we all get together and do our cheers and Michael Duncan and I do the Hail Mary and then we go,” Gibson added. This race is sure to be a great way to measure the progress of the runners, but they should be sure not to work themselves up. “Our goal is to be in peak shape in November,” Coach Stemm said. “It’s important to take it seriously, but don’t bonk yourself out because you got too nervous.”
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sports LIONBITES BASKETBALL Though his time at Loyola Marymount is over, Anthony Ireland is still making news on the Bluff. The former Lion played in the NBA Summer League for the Los LMU Athletics Angeles Lakers and recently signed with Élan Chalon, located in Chalon-sur-Saône, in the Burgandy region of France. The team plays in the French Pro A League. Arguably the best LMU basketball player in the last decade, Ireland aims to continue his basketball career abroad.
SCORES UPDATE W. SOCCER Aug . 29
LION
at Oregon St.
SPORTS
M. SOCCER
Aug. 29
at Duke
M. WPOLO
Sept. 6 vs UCI
VOLLEYBALL Aug. 29
vs. LIU Brooklyn
Follow us on Twitter @loyolansports for up-to-date scores.
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LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | August 28, 2014 | laloyolan.com
Meyers brings in young talent
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Roar now or don’t roar at all Sully Speaks Jack Sullivan Sports Editor @JackSull2
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he LMU men’s soccer team will be kicking off its season on the road as they travel to the East Coast for the John Rennie Nike Invitational this weekend in Durham, North Carolina. This tournament is sure to be the start of an amazing season. “I’ve been here for almost five years, and this is the best team that I have seen,” senior center back Craig Nitti said. “We definitely think that we can win conference.” Nitti isn’t alone in his thinking. The Lions have been projected to win the West Coast Conference after taking the top spot last season. “We have the team to win the WCC again,” sophomore midfielder Adrien Perez said. “We know that it is not going to be easy, but I think we are going to be all right.” The Lions have a roster that is not something to just glance over. They boast an incredible depth that would rival most Division I programs. “We have players for all positions that can come in and step up for the team,” Nitti said. The team is mainly predicted to repeat its win this year due to its strong leadership and the stellar talent it has acquired. Losing only one starting senior from last season, the team is similar to last year, just more experienced. The team also had five players selected for the Preseason All-WCC Team, including Perez and Nitti. “It was a bit of a surprise,” Perez said. “ I did not expect it, since I am only a sophomore. But I know it is just a list and I have to keep going.” Nitti echoed his teammate saying, “It is week one, and we still have a long way to go. Though the team played a great last season and is looking to get even better, Head Coach Paul Krumpe is not worried about the players getting big heads. “The leadership of this group will make sure that the guys are doing the right thing,” Krumpe said. “With some teams I would have to worry about that, but not with this team.” This team is definitely one to watch this fall. The problem is, will anybody actually See Sully Speaks | Page 14
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The women’s soccer team brought in more than just freshmen and also added three transfers to boost this year’s squad. The team has already seen the results they were looking for after adding this depth. After a pre-season victory against Grand Canyon State, the Lions have also chalked up wins against New Mexico State and Cleveland State. The team will travel to Oregon to play two games this weekend.
After a tough season last year with only three wins, the Lions have quickly turned it around and are 2-0 to start the year. Kassia Stephenson Asst. Sports Editor @ksteph17
Age is but a number, and the women’s soccer team seems to be living proof of that. With the help of its 13 new recruits and three junior transfers, LMU women’s soccer is off to a phenomenal 2-0 start after its opening games this past weekend.
It appears to be a change of pace for the team after a rather difficult season last fall. “Last season was a weird season,” Head Coach Meyers said. “We played some good soccer and were inches away from results. So it wasn’t necessarily that we weren’t a good team, it’s just that things didn’t go our way.” Although their record last season wasn’t all they hoped for, it played a large part in fueling the team’s fire to do well this coming year. Returning junior midfielder Jocelyn Blankenship endured last season and all its frustration. Blankenship has no intention of reliving it, and claims the team has even gained a lot from it.
“Last year put things into perspective for us, not to take advantage of the teams we were supposed to beat,” she said. The first couple of games have shown proof of the team’s ability to capitalize on past mistakes. “The first two teams we played this year – on paper we were supposed to win,” Blankenship said, commenting on their inability to win favorable games last season. “But we were able to bring the energy and actually win those games. We just have a hunger for wanting to win games now.” Blankenship, who is team captain this year, was named to the Pre-season all West Coast Conference (WCC) team. See Women’s Soccer | Page 13
First race a stepping stone
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Senior Grace Graham-Zamudio will be in a leadership position this fall as one of the best runners for LMU’s cross-country team. Graham-Zamudio was twice named the WCC runner of the month last year and hopes to continue her strong performance this season.
Cross-Country faces a big test as it takes on a familiar foe – the Mark Covert Classic. Jack Sullivan Sports Editor @JackSull2
In sports, a team is usually punished for
goofing off or not following the coach’s instructions by having to run for as long as the coach desires. In cross-country, that is just the sport. The men’s and women’s cross-country teams are kicking off their season this weekend at the Mark Covert Classic in Brea, California. The team has a lot on the line considering that both the men’s and
women’s teams are defending champions. The women’s team has won this meet for the last three years and the men’s team has won it the last two years. But winning isn’t everything. “It is really about seeing how we run 8,000 meters together,” senior Daniel Gibson said. “We See Cross-Country | Page 14
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